Certification Program American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers

You’ll also have added credibility and increased visibility from being listed in advisor directories so that potential clients can find you easily. This online program is offered through Coursera, which offers a seven-day free trial. After that, there is a $39 monthly fee that must be paid while you are taking courses and exams. Evaluate whether you currently have the knowledge to be an efficient bookkeeper or the formal education or equivalent experience that could be applied toward certification. Once you’ve identified what matters most out of a bookkeeping certification program or a bookkeeping certificate, start researching which options align most closely with your priorities.

National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB)

Aspiring CPBs must complete NACPB-required courses — payroll, bookkeeping, accounting, and QuickBooks — before registering for their respective exams, although they can complete them in any order. Candidates with relevant education may forgo a course by requesting a transcript review. Both organizations require candidates to pass exams, verify their educational or professional experience, and agree to adhere to a professional code of conduct. Still, AIPB suggests that candidates have a strong educational background in topics covered by the exam, like fraud prevention and inventory recording. By earning certification, bookkeepers have proven their skills in accounting, taxation, financial accounting, and other related concepts, giving them an advantage when applying for jobs or promotions. A bookkeeper certification tells employers that you have all the skills and expertise required for advanced bookkeeping.

• You can take online and in-person courses to achieve the required CPE credits each year.
• If you are not satisfied with this Exam within 14 days of receipt, contact us and the fee will be refunded.
• The cost of tuition includes all of the exams required for AIPB Certified Bookkeeper certification.
• NACPB’s Uniform Bookkeeping Certification examination (exam) is the exam administered to candidates who want to obtain Bookkeeping Certification.

Benefits of getting a bookkeeping certification

However, each program is different, so consider what you want to get out of a prospective program before you enroll. Danielle Bauter is a writer for the Accounting division of Fit Small Business. She has owned Check Yourself, a bookkeeping and payroll service that specializes in small business, for over twenty years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from UCLA and has served on the Board of the National Association of Women Business Owners. She also regularly writes about business for various consumer publications. Do you want to be more credible across bookkeeping in general or just for a particular software program, like QuickBooks or Xero?

Research relevant certifications and certificates.

Other topics include spreadsheets for decision making and nonprofit and governmental accounting. The curriculum covers basic accounting skills and includes instruction from professionals with industry experience. Students learn about double-entry accounting and concepts like expense account, revenue, owner’s equity and liability. Other topics include computerized accounting software and analysis of business transactions. Potential jobs for graduates include accounts payable, accounts receivable, expense reporting and account analysis. Once the courses have been completed, you are eligible to take the certification exam.

Intuit Certifications

To qualify for federal student aid, your certificate program must hold recognition from the U.S. ED doesn’t necessarily approve all certificate programs at all accredited schools for federal student aid. If your certificate is approved, however, you can apply for federal student aid, which includes student loans, grants and scholarships. Also, if you want to earn a degree in accounting at some point, prioritize schools that offer certificates with credits that can transfer to a degree program. Designed for beginners without prior experience or a degree, the program covers bookkeeping fundamentals, measuring and valuation in accounting, financial statements and financial decision-making. Students use Excel, QuickBooks Online and Google Sheets to get hands-on practice with real-world accounting problems.

• Becoming certified in accounting software—such as QuickBooks, Xero, or Zoho Books—is a wise decision, especially when the majority of your clients use that particular software.
• There are a number of bookkeeping organisations that provide a host of programs to help you learn and enhance your bookkeeping knowledge.
• No, but a certification can significantly enhance your resume and make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.
• View your colleagues’ posts as a guest—or become an AIPB member and to join a discussion or start your own topic.
• We pulled data for these categories from reliable resources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites.
• Located in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin University offers a professional Intuit bookkeeping certificate online through Coursera Campus.

You do not need a formal education to go through the AIPB’s certification process.However, NACPB recommends a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or a related industry to earn the CPB license. Accounting Analytics offers leading students a bookkeeping career with Accounting Analytics based on how well the student performs in their courses, exams, and internship. There are a lot of institutes that offer small business workshops, giving valuable insights on both bookkeeping and accounting. These workshops are also an opportunity to meet like-minded professionals, who may be able to give you accounting and bookkeeping tips and tricks from their own experience. There are a number of bookkeeping organisations that provide a host of programs to help you learn and enhance your bookkeeping knowledge. It is the minimum degree required for any accounting license programs you may wish to take, such as the CPA examination.

While it is not required, completing a comprehensive course from a reputable institution boosts your skills and demonstrates to potential employers that you’re reliable and dedicated. A certificate may not be worth it if you already have a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field, or if you already have professional bookkeeping experience. The organization offers both a bookkeeper license program and a bookkeeper certification. Choose a bookkeeping certificate program that prepares you for your chosen certification exam. Distance learners can earn a bookkeeping certificate online in two semesters through the School of Business and Industry at Casper College in Casper, Wyoming. The 32-credit program combines general business and entrepreneurial concepts and prepares students to work in bookkeeping and accounting.

Bookkeepers can also work up to accounting positions as they advance their education and credentials. Although certification isn’t required to become a bookkeeper, what is a bookkeeper employers sometimes prefer candidates with these formal credentials. Free and low-cost online bookkeeping courses are also an excellent way to learn bookkeeping.

A bookkeeper’s primary task is to keep a track of the financial transactions of a business and generate relevant, accurate reports. These reports help the accountants, and the business owners, understand the financial position of the business. There are a host of programs available in the field of business administration and accounting. Bookkeepers must keep thorough, up-to-date records of organizational financial transactions. Bookkeeping requirements also cover reconciliation, the process of comparing internal records with bank records to ensure there are no discrepancies.